68 CANDOUR.

Candour is opposed to many other vices,
all of which are unfriendly to truth. Disin-
genuousness, which would conceal the truth
by some deceptive veil ; artifice, which would
make falsehood pass for truth; improper
concealment, which would hide the truth
where it is required ; moral cowardice, which
makes one fear the truth; these mean yet
dangerous and besetting vices are all opposed
to candour. If any of my readers feel that
any of these sad diseases are in their souls,
let them administer candour, for this is a cer-
tain cure for them all.

Candour is necessary to those who would
be wise, for wisdom consists in knowing the
truth; and how can one see and know the
truth, if he is blinded by an imperfect vision,
or misled by an atmosphere that presents
objects either falsely or obscurely ?

Candour is not only thus useful and ne-
cessary, but it is a most delightful grace in
character. No person can be amiable with-
out it; no person can haye sincere friends
without it ; no person can possess true beauty
of soul without it. The face is usually an
index’ to the soul; it is a sort of mirror Te-